Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Daher Kodiak 100 Series Iii vs Pilatus Pc 12 Ngx
In category, the Beechcraft King Air 260 is a pressurized, twin‑engine turboprop optimized for business and utility missions with strong redundancy and higher cruise performance. The Daher Kodiak 100 Series III is a rugged, single‑engine turboprop built around short‑takeoff‑and‑landing utility work, remote access, and high payload flexibility rather than speed. The Pilatus PC‑12 NGX is a pressurized, single‑engine turboprop positioned as a premium owner‑flown/corporate aircraft, emphasizing cabin comfort, avionics sophistication, and efficient long legs. On range, the PC‑12 NGX generally offers the longest typical legs among the three, supporting extended point‑to‑point travel. The King Air 260 is also a long‑range platform, usually slightly behind the PC‑12 in typical maximum range figures but with twin‑engine capability and strong high‑altitude cruise. The Kodiak 100 Series III usually has the shortest range of the group, though it is designed to trade endurance for STOL performance and unimproved‑strip capability. For passenger capacity, the PC‑12 NGX and King Air 260 commonly seat around six to nine in executive layouts, with maximum configurations higher depending on interior and regulations. The Kodiak typically carries up to about ten, especially in commuter/utility seating.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Pilatus PC-12 NGX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.78 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | PC-12 NGX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1803 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.46 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 793 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Honeywell Primus Apex |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 290 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,350,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 13100 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6E-67XP |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1200 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 35 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — |
| Usable Fuel (gal) | — | 402 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 47.25 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 53.33 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 16.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.25 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 40 |